Food was
definitely not
top of mind for Amanda
Babichuk, â&#x20AC;&#x2122;01 BCom, when she
graduated ten years ago with a
BCom Co-op degree and a marketing
major unless it was out of
concern for her then five-year-old
son Cole.

2

ALBERTA SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

B

ecoming pregnant at 16 while a top student in grade
ten at Victoria Composite High School in Edmonton,
Amandaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life was put on the fast-track perhaps and
might partially explain, along with an iron will and fierce
determination, the three to four careers she has already had.
Her first job, post graduation, was at TELUS where she joined
a three-year Marketing Analyst Development Program, which
was eliminated shortly upon her arrival.

Photography: Sam Brooks

Fortunately, her first rotation in product management within
the wholesale division of Partner Solutions proved to be an
excellent fit. Six years later, Amanda departed after managing
and growing the International Long Distance portfolio to over
$300 million. One of the best parts of TELUS were her female
mentors, many of with whom she is still in close contact.
Taking her own advice - to evolve - not adapt - lead her to
take a position a head hunter presented her with, as an insurance
company’s Marketing Director for Western Canada. Despite this
being an industry well out of her comfort zone, she gave it a great
effort for six months, learning much of what she did, and did not,
like about it, and moved on.
After doing yet another personal SWOT analysis, she then
joined the Edmonton Economic Development Corporation
as an Investment Attractions Manager, and her future was
set at being one of Edmonton’s hippest and proudest
ambassadors. She credits the School’s Student
Ambassador program as providing valuable experience
in this regard. The only difference is that today she
is a front-line ambassador for d’Lish Urban Kitchen,
which opened it’s doors in November 2008 as a
catering and meal preparation operation at the height
of a recession and in an industry known for turmoil
and turnover with a young and volatile workforce.
But this is where she feels she belongs, for
now, in an entrepreneurial environment,
being her own boss, having creative control,
and a long- term vision of the importance
of community and relationships.
A few gems from her keynote address
at this year’s BCom Graduation banquet
include:
- don’t take it personally (develop a
thick skin) but make it personal - people
are everything;
- the best way to ensure your success is to
ensure that of your friends and neighbours;
- it is not who you know, but how well
you know them, that matters most;
- and do not over-communicate – listen
– and, in this tech-savvy world, remember that
nothing can replace a personal note.

Be sure to check out Amanda’s new webTV site.
Four episodes and counting!

It did not take long however, for d’Lish itself to evolve. In
the fall of 2010, a very hip and styish d’Lish Urban Kitchen
& Wine Bar made its entry into the vibrant Edmonton scene
with expanded catering and event management services, a menu
dominated by ever-changing and artistically intriguing tapas,
and a continual focus on local. Amanda is particularly proud
that d’Lish has helped pioneer the movement of providing
Edmontonians with local, natural, and sustainable food. d’Lish’s
menus utilize the best of regional ingredients that are in season,
using no preservatives or fillers, ethically raised, allowing many
options for food sensitivities, with over 90% of the menu being
sourced from local farmers and local businesses.
And local alumni connections are never far away. Beef is
often supplied by Vegreville’s Spring Creek Ranch, owned by
the Kotelko family. One of her largest catering customers is
Mark Kluchky, ’96 MBA, Director of Human Resources for
Edmonton-based BioWare, a global video game developer with
operations in Montreal, Austin, and Ireland. Mark is also the
class organizer for his 15th annual class reunion in September.
Perhaps his class will meet at d’Lish!
I could not help but think of Amanda’s first boss at TELUS,
CEO Darren Entwistle, this year’s Canadian Business Leader
Award recipient (see page 21) and wonder what he might think
of Amanda’s path. In both his keynote address as well as in his
candid discussion with MBA students, he emphasized having
the courage to innovative, an appetite for risk, to empower your
team, and to give back to the community. I think Darren would
be most proud of this TELUS alumna - a rebel, a creative warrior
- with a cause.